At a Glance

Year Established

Total Specimens

Collection Strengths

>6,000 Oklahoma Specimens

2,550 Tennessee and Arkansas Specimens

4,141 Argentina Specimens

>7,500 mammals

>3,300 amphibians

>2,500 reptiles

905 birds

Research Strengths

Phylogenetics

The Sam Noble Museum established the Oklahoma Collection of Genomic Resources in 2006. As an archive of biological tissue samples, this collection is somewhat like a library of genetic biodiversity. Collected and maintained under controlled conditions, these specimens are maintained for current and future research. Our collection currently holds about 36,872 tissue samples from 422 genera. This includes more than 733 combined species of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. Many of the samples have voucher specimens that are housed in the Sam Noble Museum. There is a strong representation of mammals from Argentina and Oklahoma, plus amphibians, reptiles and birds from the Great Plains. We continue to add to the collection’s taxonomic and geographic diversity through research conducted by curators, professional staff, students and associates in the field. The museum’s Genetic Core Research Facility provides facilities for laboratory research by museum staff, students and associates.